When opinions become offensive.

on January 20, 2016

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I’ve never been one to keep to myself. There may have been or there may be times where my anxiety becomes overwhelming and I become quiet in a crowd of people or an uncomfortable situation. But for the most part, I speak what’s on my mind and stand up for what I believe in.

I know we’re all entitled to our own opinions and that not everyone is going to agree on everything. People are going to disagree on issues they feel strongly about; whether that be political, religious, financial, parenting, etc. but as long as it’s done with respect, it’s fine. But with social media these days, it’s hard to have an insightful and respectful conversation about things. Computer screens shield cowards, encourage trolls, and give people a sense of courage that they may not have normally had when in the presence of a real person.

Yes, we’re all entitled to our own opinions. By definition an opinion is a belief, judgment, or way of thinking. There is no one right answer to the question at hand. Opinions are what we create in our minds to believe to be true. Some will admit there can be other opinions but some will think it’s their way or the high way. Often times people agree to disagree because there’s never going to be an end to the vicious circle. And I can respect that.

But what I can’t respect is sheer ignorance. Voicing an opinion on a subject matter or topic without having personal experience or doing research before making offensive comments. Thinking one is entitled to something when really there have been hundreds of thousands of people who have come and gone, fighting for the very right of free speech that some people feel they can abuse.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t share our opinions but we should be graceful. We shouldn’t use words that may imply negative things about certain groups of people. We shouldn’t take a stance on something we know nothing about or even worse, down right bash it. I don’t get into political things because I don’t know enough about it. Politics have never been my passion and therefore, you won’t ever see me standing on the front lines picketing somewhere. Or here on this blog.

I stand up for things and people I believe in, but some people may disagree with me and that’s okay. But it becomes especially offensive when it hits close to home. When it’s targeting people I love or something I believe in. I try to watch what I say because I know that someway somewhere, someone may feel strongly one way or connected to a cause. But unfortunately, some people don’t have the same respect.

Best way to deal with it? Ignore it. Remove the negativity from your life. These types of people aren’t going to change their opinions or the way they carry themselves in a discussion. So why should we have to deal with it? We’re all entitled to our own opinions, yes. But when it becomes offensive to the point your blood is boiling, you have to be the bigger person and remove yourself from the situation.